Practical Circadian Interventions for Night Shift Work. R01-OH003954, Years 1 - 3.

摘要

The circadian clock assures that diurnal animals, like humans, are alert during the day and asleep at night. Unfortunately, night shift workers are required to work during the 'wrong' phase of their circadian cycle, when they are the most inefficient, sleepy, often fall asleep, and are most prone to accidents. Subsequently, they try to sleep during the day, again during the 'wrong' phase of their circadian cycle, which results in disrupted and shortened sleep. The chronic sleep deprivation exacerbates the problem of having to work at night when the circadian clock makes people the sleepiest. Sleeping pills can help workers sleep during the day, but this does not eliminate the nighttime sleepiness and performance decrements caused by the circadian clock. Stimulants like coffee and pharmacological drugs can help workers remain alert during the night shift, but can interfere with subsequent daytime sleep. Furthermore, there is potential for side-effects, dependence and abuse with most drugs.